Ex-Apple store employees reveal the biggest mistakes customers make at the Genius Bar

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Ex-Apple store employees reveal the biggest mistakes customers make at the Genius Bar

Apple Store

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  • Some of the most common mistakes people make when coming into the Apple Store for repairs include forgetting their iCloud password and failing to back up their device beforehand.
  • Sometimes customers will forget to charge their device before bringing it in, too.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Working at the Apple Store certainly has its perks. For example, people who have worked there said they love the people and the opportunities Apple offers for career development and personal growth.

But every job has its more difficult moments. According to several former employees and one current worker, there are certain things customers do - or don't do - that can make their jobs more challenging.

Here's a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when coming in for repairs, based on interviews with several people who have worked at the Apple Store. Most of the people interviewed requested to remain anonymous so that they could speak freely about their former or current job.

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Not backing up their data

Not backing up their data

Among the most common mistakes many people make is not backing up their data when they come in for a repair.

"The biggest thing is how unprepared the general public is about saving their information," said one current employee. "A lot of people, they run their entire businesses off their phones and computers . . . If this is your entire life, how do you not save this elsewhere?"

Read more: Apple is expected to launch 3 new iPhones this year — here's everything we know about them so far

Forgetting their iCloud password

Forgetting their iCloud password

Forgetting or not having access to their iCloud password is another typical issue Apple Store employees must help customers deal with, said CJ Ryan, who worked at the Apple Store for two years, and a former Apple employee of four years. When that happens, employees sometimes have to tell the customer to make a different appointment and come back when they have access to their iCloud account.

Are you a current or former Apple Store employee? If so, we want to hear from you! Contact this reporter at leadicicco@businessinsider.com

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Asking Apple to help them with their Gmail or Facebook password

Asking Apple to help them with their Gmail or Facebook password

Helping customers reset their iCloud password can also be difficult when Genius Bar patrons forget their email password, said Ryan. Sometimes customers would ask Apple staff to help them with their Gmail or Facebook password. Even though it's not part of their job, Apple Store workers will usually try to be helpful in this situation anyhow, according to Ryan.

Not being honest about what happened to their device

Not being honest about what happened to their device

When customers are dishonest about what happened to their device, it makes it harder to address the problem, two of the people said.

"On a technical level, if they're not honest with us, it becomes tough," said one former employee of seven years.

The ex-employee who worked at the Apple Store for four years said customers would sometimes come in with shattered phones and make excuses about how the accident happened. "We would get that on a weekly basis," this person said.

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Not charging their device before they bring it in

Not charging their device before they bring it in

Bringing in a device without any charge left in it will only waste time both for the customer and the Apple employee. But it's a common mistake that Ryan says he often encountered during his time at the Apple Store, especially with Apple Watches.

"I'd just sit there, and we all have to wait," he said.

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